Ignite 365: Compassion for the Lost (16 of 365)

"Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path." -Psalm 119:105

Psalms and Wisdom Literature: Psalm 15

Who Shall Dwell on Your Holy Hill?
This is the question David asked on this Psalm. So, who really can dwell or live on God's holy place? As the Bible says in Hebrews 11:6, "And without faith it is impossible to please him..."

David then listed several acts of faith:

• walks blamelessly and does what is right
• speaks truth in his heart
• does not slander with his tongue
• does no evil to his neighbor
• does not take up a reproach against his friend
• in whose eyes a vile person is despised (angry with the wickedness)
• honors those who fear the Lord
• swears to his own hurt and does not change (even if his oath means it will hurt him, he sticks to his oath)
• does not put out his money at interest
• does not take a bribe against the innocent

And the result? They shall never be moved. As Matthew Henry commented,

"The grace of God shall always be sufficient for him, to preserve him safe and blameless to the heavenly kingdom. Temptations shall not overcome him, troubles shall not overwhelm him, nothing shall rob him of his present peace nor his future bliss."

Pentateuch and History of Israel: Genesis 16

Sarai and Hagar
Impatience in Sarai and Abram was manifested during these times. They tried to do it on their own because they felt God would not be giving unto them what He had promised long ago. This resulted to Hagar, Sarai's Egyptian servant, having a son from Abram, named Ishmael. Ishmael later became the ancestor of the Arab people.

How many times did we become like Abram and Sarai, where we feel that God has abandoned us already and would not grant us what He has promised? Focus on Him, He remains faithful, that is even in times when we are the ones who are unfaithful.


Chronicles and Prophets: 1 Chronicles 16:4–43

David's Song of Thanks and Worship Before the Ark
David assigned some Levites for worship before the Lord. Also David composed a song to be sung by the Levites.


Gospels and Epistles: Luke 9:51–10:24

This described a person who has so much "Passion" for the Lord, but does not have "Compassion" for the lost. When they were rejected by the village, James and John said to Jesus:

“Lord, do you want us to tell fire to come down from heaven and consume them?”

Jesus rebuked them, and some manuscripts add:

and he said, “You do not know what manner of spirit you are of; for the Son of Man came not to destroy people's lives but to save them”

May "passion" for the Lord and "compassion" for the lost be both found in us.

The next verses talked about the cost of following Christ. Also, when the 72 disciples came back to Jesus to report their great victories, Jesus said:

“I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”

It must be noticed that Jesus shifted their focus on the greater reward that they have, rather than the momentary little victories at that time.


© 2014 Erickson Ibana

Image can be found at http://www.centerdigitaled.com/workforce/Compassion-The-Lost-Leadership-Quality.html

Ignite 365: 15 of 365

"Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path." -Psalm 119:105

Psalms and Wisdom Literature: Psalm 14

The Fool Says, There Is No God
The fool says in his heart, "There is no God." As Matthew Henry commented on it,

"If we apply our hearts as Solomon did (Ecclesiastes 7:25) to search out the wickedness of folly, even of foolishness and madness, these verses will assist us in the search and will show us that sin is exceedingly sinful. Sin is the disease of mankind, and it appears here to be malignant and epidemic."

It must be noticed that the fool tries so hard to convince himself that there is no God. Furthermore, it says of man's corruption in his core.

"They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds, there is none who does good.

The Lord looks down from heaven on the children of man, to see if there are any who understand, who seek after God.
 
They have all turned aside; together they have become corrupt; there is none who does good, not even one."

David further cries out the consequences of the wickedness of man,

"...all the evildoers who eat up my people as they eat bread and do not call upon the Lord?"

But in the end, David still hopes in the salvation that comes from the Lord.

"Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion! When the Lord restores the fortunes of his people, let Jacob rejoice, let Israel be glad."

This is a foreshadow of the coming Savior that would grant salvation, Jesus Christ!


Pentateuch and History of Israel: Genesis 15

God's Covenant with Abram
God fist made his promise to Abram when Abram was called by God in Genesis 12:1-3. In this chapter, God made it clear that the great nation will be coming from Abram's own son, though at that time Abram and Sarai were childless. Abram believed God's words and it is interesting that God counted that as Abram's righteousness; indeed, righteousness is by faith on the living God!

"And he believed the Lord, and he counted it to him as righteousness."

God promised not just a son, but also the land unto where his generations would live.


Chronicles and Prophets: 1 Chronicles 15:1–16:3

The Ark Brought to Jerusalem and Placed in a Tent
Here King David commanded that the Ark be brought back to Jerusalem. It must be noticed that during the time of Saul, the Ark was not even sought. This means that in the reign of David, he made it sure to seek God first in everything and anything.

Also, this chapter described how David assigned back the proper designated works to the proper people (like assigning the work for the Ark to the Levites, etc.) He made sure that the proper order was brought back, for the Lord is a God of order. (1 Corinthians 14:33)
 

Gospels and Epistles: Luke 9:1–50


This is where Jesus performed a great miracle. After giving thanks to the Lord, Jesus fed 5,000 men from the initial 5 loaves and 2 fish. At the end of the day, 12 baskets full of food were left. How great is the Lord, indeed!



© 2014 Erickson Ibana

Image can be found at http://www.hopewellonline.org/templates/System/details.asp?id=57420&mast=Events&PG=Events&CID=1328159